Why Study Japanese?
There are so many reasons to study Japanese. Some people are drawn to Japan’s ancient traditions, like kimono, tea ceremony, calligraphy, festivals, and temples. Others fall in love with the unique tastes and textures of Japanese food or the incredible variety of manga, anime, and games. Many people are captivated by natural beauty: mountains, waterfalls, forests, coastlines, and the changing colors of the seasons.
But you’ll likely be most impressed by the thoughtfulness and quiet generosity of the Japanese people. Studying Japanese will mean lifelong connections with Japanese friends whose way of life will inspire you.
When I was a high school exchange student in Brazil, another exchange student in my community lived with a Japanese-Brazilian host family descended from Japanese immigrants. My own host family was wonderful (and we remain close to this day), but I also became connected with this Japanese-Brazilian family. Through them, I experienced aspects of Japanese culture for the first time, and they encouraged me to study Japanese and visit Japan.
In my early twenties, I went on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET Program) as an Assistant Language Teacher in Kumamoto Prefecture. Living and working in Japan opened doors to friendships, professional opportunities, and a deeper understanding of the culture. You may find that learning Japanese will give you new perspectives, too.
If you’re curious about other motivations for studying Japanese, here is a great article from the American Association of Teachers of Japanese describing the top 10 reasons people study Japanese.
– Sean
